World Earth Day

By Julie St Claire Hoare

Prepare for and celebrate World Earth Day on and around 22 April with Hamilton topics across the key stages. This is the day and time of year to focus on ways every one of us can learn more about how amazing our world is and how important it is that we act to stop climate change and look after our planet.

Reception

Earth Day is the perfect time for Reception children to celebrate spring. Reflect on the new beginnings, life and activity Spring brings using dance and art. You can meet early learning goals about similarities and differences, singing and dancing, media and materials and how to represent ideas, thoughts and feelings.

Key Stage 1

Hamilton have a dedicated Earth Day block for key stage 1. An exploration of recycling, reducing waste and green environments culminates in children writing their own Earth Day promises.

If you want a more extended study of the earth and its wonders, Hamilton's Oceans and Seas topic provides seven blocks to choose from. You can look at actual seas, life underwater, sea mythology and fantasy, seagoing vessels and Charles Darwin and the Galapagos Islands.

Lower Key Stage 2

In Lower Key Stage 2, you can focus on any aspect of Mountains, Rivers and Coasts or all three! There's plenty of enticing land and water subjects that cover objectives across the whole curriculum. You can focus on the physical nature of these features, their importance in the ecosystem or their relevance to people, or sample them all if you can dedicate a whole term to the topic.

Upper Key Stage 2

Our upper key stage 2 Earth Matters topic celebrates the exciting physical features of the Earth and forms an excellent introduction to key aspects of physical geography. Children can gain a thorough knowledge of the water cycle, coastal erosion, rivers, the impact of the sea on human activity, mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, climate zones and biomes by applying research to practical tasks such as model making, drama, artwork and dance. The topic can culminate in the creation of children's own 'biome in a bag' and a DIY Eden Project with its own mini guide or poster.

We hope that you will find sessions and resources to inspire your class's love of the Earth!